Morning journal and courier., 1887-04-13
BUNCO MEN ARRESTED.

Detective Brewer Effects the Capture
 of Two Professional CroOks-They
 Try te Work William AtWater Hut
 Are Feiled-Eanrea in Other Cities,
 Two bunco men were caught yesterday shortly before noon by Detective Brewer. They gave their names as John c. Burton and George Harris. The men had hired a room kept by Mrs. D. w. Whistler at 29 Home Place. About g o'clock yesterday morning Detective Brewer, who was walking along Olive street near Beecher court, saw in a carriage William Atwater, ,one of the oldest and best known citizens of New Haven and father of Wm. J. Atwater of Trumbull street. He was not alone. With him was a man whom Detective Brewer had been spot ting for three months. He knew he was 8 bunco steerer. The detective hid himself in Beecher court. The team stopped in front of 29 Home Place and MT. Atwater and his companion entered. Detective Brewer quick ly went into house close by and with the telephone summoned the police wagon. The wagon quickly arrived with Detective Reilly and four policemen. Detective Brewer went into the house and soon broke into the room occupied by the bunco men, They were as- founded, but before they knew what they were about they were handcuffed. Mr. At water was surprised, but when he saw that it was Detective Brewer he said he could see 1t all now and thanked heaven the detective had arrived in time. The buneo men made no resistance, but tried a little bluff game and appeared innocent, but it didn't work. On the table was clear evidence of what was their game. They had about $500 in all, done up in different packages, labeled in large figures H$5 OOO'
 One of the bunco men, who afterward gave his name as Curtis, hailed MT. Atwater on the street yesterday morning and ingratiated himself into MI. Atwater's good graces by saying he belonged to the Curtis family of Norwich. Mir. Atwater was of course glad to meet a member of the family of H. A. Curtis, who was a friend of his and banker. The bunco man told MT. Atwater that he had drawn in lottery here two books and if MT. Atwate1 would go with him to the lottery he would get them and give him one. Under this pretense MT. AtWater finally consented to go.
 Arriving at the alleged lottery, Harris told his confederate Burton, that he had come for the two books Harris was told that the books were damaged. The firm never let books 20 out that were damaged and he had sent them to have them replaced. Burton wanted the addresses of MT. Atwater and his supposed friend so he could deliver the OoohS. Ao oOO4OoSOS "oI0 SAtOL dAO GACA Burton informed Harris that he had drawn $35 Tn cash. Harris kept on winning money and when Detective Brewer go unceremon- iously broke in Burton was undoubtedly on the verge of throwing card and telling Mr. Atwater that he had won $5, 1000, but must first put $1 ,000 as guarantee that he would have paid and been square if he lost.
 But the scheme didn't work On the way to the police office the harness gave way and the horse fell; and but for the cool work of Driver Smith 8 serious accident might have happened. The credit of the captive of these bunco men belongs to Detective Brewer. He has been shadowing the men for some time, and at last caught them. Some months ago the pair were in the city and played the bunco game a man to the tune of several hundred dollars. They are wanted in other cities. They are professionals.